Last year exactly a year ago, I sat down to write this post. I shared my hopeful disposition and wrote it down in a journal titled “dreams.” Anything I have ever planned for my life, God has exceeded my prayers by miles, and I am so grateful for His immense love. I could not have imagined all the blessings, people and opportunities God put in to my life. A lot of people ask me about the story behind this blog and my print shop. The growth was so organic and natural, and I set out to create a platform from a genuine place. I always wanted everything I did to be authentic and original. Just like I wouldn’t share a product or piece of clothing I didn’t love or that reflected my personality, I wouldn’t create products for the sake of making something to sell. I put heart in to everything I do. I put in a lot of hard work, hours and prayers.
“He is the author of all true success and everything that is good. Without Him we can do nothing of true value.” – Joyce Meyer
I believe this with every fibre in my body. Every blessing, every milestone, every bit of success I have ever been able to attain, was through Christ and I always want the glory to be for Him, and not me. It isn’t a bad thing to want success, but I also have different terms of what success means to me. It’s about being able to wake up in the morning and share your love and creativity with the world in God’s name. It’s about touching people’s lives and inspiring them if you are lucky. It’s about giving back. It’s about being grateful. It is not the followers, money, or popularity that defines success for me. Success is tapping in to the talents God gave me and sharing them with the universe, to make them happy. That is my gift back to God. I intend to keep this definition of success with me as I go through 2014, and trusting God in my walk. I am so grateful for the opportunities, the kindness people have shown me and the appreciation for the work that I do. I’m grateful for customers becoming friends. I’m grateful to work alongside truly inspiring people to create beautiful things. I’m grateful for people who live across the world and leave me a sweet, encouraging note. I am so grateful for this life and what’s to come this year in my walk with God.
Write down your dreams, and write them with the best intentions. Why do you want the things you want out of life? Answer this question honestly. Too many people do things just because they see someone else doing them, and all that ever comes from the wrong intentions is emptiness. When your heart isn’t in the right place it cannot promote growth or sustainability. Write down your goals (I love Lara’s outline for this, you can follow my vision board here + create your own too!) and watch God’s amazing work. He will always bring you goodness and love. This is His promise for us (Romans 8:28). So here it is, 2014 is the year I will travel more, love more and give back more.
Your blog is so inspiring! I've enjoyed every post. Continue being amazing and fabulous! – Rhondine
Thank you for reading & being fab! xx
In absolute awe of everything about you. Your love for God and love of life exudes from you and is contagious! You have personally inspired me beyond compare in the short time that I stumbled upon your incredible blog. keep doing what you're doing! You're such an inspiration!
XOXO
Rachel
bowsandablonde.com
Thank you for sweet words xoxo
Stephanie, I stumbled across your blog about a year ago and since then I read your blog posts almost every morning. It is a great way to start my day and you truly inspire me in all aspects of my life and to be the best person I can be! I love the variety of material you post. I am also a huge fan of SSPrintshop– your work is beautiful. Can't wait to see what you have in store for 2014!
Erica (Winnipeg, MB) xxx
Thank you for reading, that keeps me going! Happy New Year!
You have such a beautiful way with words Stephanie and you are one of the most inspiring women I have come across! In the time I have been reading your blog I have fallen in love with everything you post because it is from your heart and I adore the SS Print Shop and everything it has come! I can't wait to see what 2014 has in store for you and I hope God brings you the opportunity to visits beautiful places like Paris!
xoxo
Stacey
Five Minute Style
Your support means so much to me Stacey, thank you!
Love this post! Do you have a good recommendation for a 2014 devotional? I've read Jesus Calling for two years in a row. Also that journal! Where did you get it? Bummed that the Kate Spade agenda is sold out.
Yes! I love anything by Joyce Meyer, I love her "Hearing from God each Morning" devotional π
The journal is an oldie but a goodie from Chapters/Indigo
xoxo
I've written down a few of the books your mentioned that I hadn't heard of before and I cannot wait to dig into them! I'm always on the lookout for books that will actually feed me intellectually, spiritually and/or soulfully (although those chick-lits aren't completely out of my life!). Best wishes for a wonderful 2014!
I absolutely love this!! π Keep up your amazing work & Inspiration I do also believe that this is the year for great things to happen! Best of Luck to you in the beautiful new year! Also where is that amazing journal from & your tape/tape dispenser-I love them!
Journal is from Chapters/Indigo + Tape Dispenser and tape is from Anthropologie – thanks for the sweet comment!
So beautiful. Wishing you a year of continued success and happiness! I'm very interested in reading the books you mentioned, as well! Happy new year, sweet girl!
SUCH a beautiful post. God bless you, you deserve every single thing that has come your way. I'm so delighted to have met you in 2013, and just know that 2014 is going to be an even more incredible year for you! Happy New Year.
Yes! Yes! Yes! Every single word is true. I learned this past year that when you set out to do work for God's kingdom, it's so much more fun and fulfilling than any high-paying job can give a person. I do it only because in God's name because I want to show others who my Savior is and why I'm so happy. For the longest time, I thought I was the only one working on my talents for His kingdom and in 2013, God brought so many of my siblings in Christ I had never met before into my life that I'm overwhelmed with so much love! I'm so grateful to have "discovered" you this past year, Stephanie! I'm so thankful He brought you into my life. Sometimes, I think Jesus has Facebook and Instagram, haha! π XO
Blessings! xo
I can't begin to tell you how much you inspire me! It's such a breath of fresh air for a young woman to speak about God's love for her without hesitation. Because you honour Christ in the open, He will bless you abundantly! You inspire women reading your blog to follow their dreams and learn to walk better with God and that is truly success. Thank you for being who you are and inspiring me to reach for the stars. I wish you nothing but the best this year π
Nathali
http://www.gloriouspeonies.blogspot.ca
Congrats on all your successes this year! You've definitely inspired me to work to make my dreams come true. Thanks for sharing!
Lauren,
http://www.inbetweenmimosas.blogspot.com
This is so great. Thank you so much for sharing! Such a great reminder that we can't define success by money or popularity, and remember that the spotlight is not ours, but His. Thank you for being such a great role model! Best of luck to you in this new year of 2014!
XO.
Jenny @ Coffee & Honeycomb
inspiring !
Kisses
Hannah
Elegantesque Blog
I love your heart and love that I can see it all in this post. Thank you, Lord, for good friends who inspire and encourage me in my faith. You are so precious and your talent from God is SO evident. I am continually encouraged by your attitude and desire to serve God through your work. Praying for so many blessings for you in 2014! God is good and you are loved π Love you!
Steph,
This is amazing, enlightening and inspiring just to say the least. I love every bit of what you've done to encourage women like me to reach for the stars and grab their dreams. This is a major 'go moment', filled with hope, possibility and so much promise. Thank you for writing, thank you for caring and thank you for sharing all your love! I am so excited to share your little bits of wonder today on Chic Saturday. Hope you love itβ¦have a blessed year ahead!!
xo,
Kelly
chicsaturday.com
Lovely post, beautiful photos! From where is that lovely notebook/journal?
xxx
E from Helsinki, Finland
http://dragonflyelisabeth.blogspot.fi/
I just found your site, and it's so inspiring! I guess I am not the only one who thinks this, but I thought I would tell you that you reached one more person. It's great to look back and see all the success of the past year and what the new year will bring. I hope 2014 is beautiful and fantastic for you, and I bet it will be because YOU achieved it. I am definitely following you now. xoxo
Always,
Mostly Lisa
Stephanie, In a world that cross out God at the slightest feeling of uncomfortableness I am happy to continually read your blog and see His influence. I love your style, your confidence and your truth. It is inspiring and uplifting. I look forward to seeing what 2014 has in store for you and wish you nothing but the best. May 2014 be the best year yet.
Blessings to you! Continue to let God to order your steps. This was JUST what I needed to read today.
-Karen
http://www.yourstylistkaren.com